February 28, 2018

Customer relationships are a two-way street

There’s a good chance you’ve had this experience at some point: You’re at a social gathering and someone you’ve met several times comes up and introduces herself as if you’re meeting for the first time. It’s awkward, right?

This is how some of your customers feel when they visit your store.

These days, customers get excited when they find a new local business to try. Like 97% of shoppers, they spend a decent amount of time researching options when choosing where to eat, where to shop, and even which dentist and doctor to see. It takes a bit of work, so when customers find a place that they like, they want to keep going back.

That’s why it’s disappointing when repeat customers are greeted like a first-time visitor. So, what can you do about it?

Knowing what and who to know

Getting to know your customers is key to growing relationships with the community, but it is also great for business. Not only do you need to know who your big spenders and frequent visitors are, you deserve to know. These are your customers, after all. And when you know who they are, you’ll build stronger relationships with more customers, faster.

Of course, you should treat all your customers equally and with the highest level of support, but there is a difference between a casual visitor and a repeat shopper. That difference doesn’t mean you should ignore the new visitor; it means you should be sure to know who your most frequent shoppers are.

A simple, “good to see you again!” as they walk through your doors may be all it takes to make them feel valued and earn their trust. (Not to mention, it will impress that new visitor. They’ll see you care about your customers, and they’ll want to be one of those repeat shoppers.)

Remember: Better customer relationships are a two-way street

The relationship you have with your customers is a two-way street. As they repeatedly support your business, you should take the extra minute to get to know your customers. You should also benefit from the extra effort you put in to know who your customers are.

Don’t be afraid to ask your best customers for some feedback, especially those that are coming in frequently and spending a decent amount with you. Ask them to rate your business online, leave a recommendation, and to share links to your store on their social media profiles. They’ll be happy to help and even flattered you value their opinion.

Take action

Keeping track of all your customers can be tough. Why not let Womply do the work for you?

Womply turns every transaction into a customer profile that gets better with time. If you use Womply, we’ll create a complete customer directory for you—right down to finding email addresses for many of your best customers. Reach out for a free 10-minute walkthrough.

Did you enjoy Customer relationships are a two-way street? Get a free demo and we'll show you how Womply can help you make more money and save time every day.